Palestinian man thought he was a young boy, but he was an undercover agent — Palestinian Flag

PITTSBURGH, PA – United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today that Huthayfa Almassri, a 33-year-old Palestinian national, has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release.

The sentencing was carried out by United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan following Almassri’s guilty plea on April 15, 2024, to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Court records reveal that Almassri traveled from Palestine to the United States on May 31, 2022, where he was admitted as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Shortly after his arrival, on June 14, 2022, Almassri began an online interaction with someone he believed was a minor. Unbeknownst to him, the individual was a law enforcement officer conducting an undercover operation. Almassri misrepresented his age and identity during these interactions.

On October 16, 2022, he arranged a meeting intending to engage in sexual conduct with the supposed minor and was arrested upon arrival.

As part of his guilty plea, Almassri consented to a judicial order of removal from the United States, indicating his deportation following the completion of his sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force leading the investigative efforts that culminated in Almassri’s conviction.

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